4 for Friday: Hot Steelers camp observations
Steel City Underground presents “4 for Friday,” an off-season series of articles focused on four related Pittsburgh Steelers topics and commentary for fans and members of Steelers Nation.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been busy through their first two weeks of training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe (Pa.), signalling the end of the off-season and beginning of pre-season. Practices didn’t disappoint as the Steelers took the field in preparation for the 2024 NFL season. With numerous topics to talk about, we chose four of the hottest takeaways and observations.
Accountability at an all-time high?
Head coach Mike Tomlin has taken flak from fans over the tenure of his career for what fans viewed as not holding players, himself, or his staff, accountable. This week of camp has illuminated the fact that accountability is next level and Tomlin is intense and focused, as are his staff.
Players haven’t just been coached up or called out. As Steel City Underground’s Joe Kuzma observed at camp, players are learning to expect taking laps for failures or mistakes. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has set a tone of high expectations and he certainly hasn’t been alone among coaching staff. The extra runs aren’t lackadaisical shuffling; they’re legitimate reminders to hustle and get in the game mentally and physically.
It’s holding us accountable… for as ‘high school’ as you think it is, I don’t want to run laps. I’m going to try not to do that again.” -rookie OL Troy Fautanu
The Steelers have also had referees taking part early. This has required players, rookie to veteran, to elevate their play while limiting errors.
Intensity leads to chippy moments
In a span of two days, fights broke out among players on the field. This isn’t unusual as players increase their level of intensity. The events were blown out of proportion, more a product of media and fans on social media than any chip in the armor of team chemistry.
Many players made the point that bonding is also a part of team building. The offensive line “having the back” of their quarterback, for example, solidifies how they’ll protect the line of scrimmage and their teammates. T.J. Watt spoke about the incident on Wednesday with the media and intimated the extra activity wasn’t serious but does distract from the overall tempo of practices and drills.
The coaching staff addressed the issue and will continue to build off of any education that is required.
Coach Mike Tomlin talks to the media after training camp practice on Wednesday, July 31. pic.twitter.com/rVOaUModOU
— Steelers Live (@SteelersLive) July 31, 2024
New kickoff rules creating unique practice situations
Only 22 percent of kickoffs were returned during the 2023 NFL season – the fewest ever – due to rule adjustments. The XFL-like rules for the NFL’s 2024 season on kickoffs were practiced by the Steelers on Thursday with observations that the ball was placed on the ground (no tee), its tips pointed at either sideline, and often resembled a squib kick or line drive.
It’s something that will take some getting used to, but it apparently does provide opportunities for returners to create a play, as well as defenders.
No onside kicks are allowed until the fourth quarter of games, and can only be performed by a team that is behind on the scoreboard. That team must also declare, ahead of the play, that they intend to utilize the onside kick.
Wilson and Wilson injury updates
Both quarterback Russell Wilson and receiver Roman Wilson are dealing with injuries.
Russ, having a tight hamstring that coaches decided they’d rather rest than press, did return to practice this week but in a limited manner. That has allowed Justin Fields to run most of the drills. Kyle Allen and John Rhys Plumlee have participated as well, but Fields has been given a majority of the snaps.
There’s really no need to rush Wilson in at quarterback as the preseason begins because the coaching staff will be wanting to evaluate players that may be competing on the bubble. Practice reps with the team will be important, however, so that Wilson builds a rapport with a young offense as the presumptive QB1.
Roman, a rookie receiver, has an ankle sprain that has been classified by the team as “week to week,” and has created an opening for Calvin Austin to showcase some straight-up dirty ( great in this case) route running and a large receivers group to get important reps in team drills.
